My new Golf MK3 GTI

[Mogsy]

I have a few problems with the Golf that I hope someone can help with. Its a 3 door MK3 8v GTI. 1992 J. Metallic Black.

1.  Rev counter and speedo not working, also think petrol and water dodgy too. (When I first drove it the rev counter, petrol and water worked, but speedo didnt, the car cut out and I let clutch out to get it going again and strangely the speedo started working?!)

     Could this be just a fuse, or something more sinister?

2.  One of the front wheels camber is well out, the top outer edge of the passenger side wheel is flush with the wing tip, the drivers side sits the same as the rear wheels do under the arches. 

     Could this be a bent suspension strut or axle?

3.  The handbrake is awful.

     Can I just adjust the handbrake at the lever end?

4.  Some pikey has tried to break into the car and minced both doors around the locks.

     Can anyone advise of anywhere I can get cheap replacement doors. Preferably colour matched. Or has anyone got any anyways? Where do I find the colour code please?

Thanks for any help given.

[psenior1]

I don't think the mk3 has a speedo cable but is electronic (I could be wrong) - check the connections if there are any on the box.  Apparantly removing the clocks on a mk3 is a ten minute job, so check the connections on the back of them too.

Not had my mk3 long, but on a mk2 there is adjustement for camber at the front but not actually that much.   Could be a bent arm, does the alloy look like it's taken a whack?

Check your rear pads

eBay for doors.  You may be able to get armoured door plates to go around the lock which might hide the damage, did the same on my mk2....

[Mogsy]

The alloy looks fine.

I guess if the camber was adjustable it would be at the the point where the two bolts are holding the bottom of the strut to the hub carrier.

[GuvGTI]

just a bit curious mate... how much did u pay for the car?

Not to sound completly negative, sounds like crash damage to me with the passenger side wheel.
Possibly shody repair.
Have you checked that the clocks havnt been tampered with before?

Goodluck mate

[Mogsy]

I was given the car.

When I saw the wheel jutting out I thought the same thing.

With being in the accident repair industry for a decent while (I'm not any more though) I know what I'm looking for regarding repairs and damage etc.

Nothing was amiss to be honest.

[GuvGTI]

im glad, goodluck with the fix.

[rubjonny]

1. Remove the negative lead from the battery for 30 seconds.  While you're there, clean up all the battery, starter & alternator wires with a wire brush & sandpaper till they're nice & shiny.  Also check the earth connections to the side of the block, especially the braided line from the block to the coil bracket!

2. Take the wheel off, then loosen the 2 strut->hub bolts.  Shove the top & pull the bottom, see if that sorts the camber.  If it does, it looks like its just clipped the kerb and a front wheel alignment will fix it, if not then something is bent, or perhaps the ball joint has been shoved along the wishbone.

3. I believe adjustment is at the handbrake lever end, there are 2 locknuts which attach to the lever, try adjusting the cable so that each wheel just binds when the lever is on 3 clicks.  Best get a Haynes manual to double check the proper procedure though!

4. You can get MK3 armour door plates, which fit behind the handle and prevent damage of this kind.  They're also hady for covering up previous damage, just sort any rust before you fit em
MK2 ones wont fit though!

[Mogsy]

Thanks for the info.

The wheels have MacGuard locking wheel nuts on and I cant get them off right now. (No key) Going to try on the weekend.

[psenior1]

 All thieving gypo's look away now - I used a Gator grip (socket full of sprung pins that mould to shape of bolt) to remove mine, available from Halfords I think....